Partial squad races for positions on each team's top-seven at the UC Irvine Invitational.

IRVINE, Calif. -- LMU Cross Country sent a partial squad of runners seeking positions in the top-seven for each team to the UC Irvine Invitational. The Lions' women were led by freshman Melanie Joerger, sophomore Daniel Gibson was the first finisher for LMU's men.

Joerger finished the 5k race in 18:25.0, a new personal-record for her, resulting in 23rd place overall. Sarah Vitug finished 25th overall, crossing the finish line in 18:28.6 in her second race with the Lions. Freshman Evelyn Gonzalez was the next person to cross the finish line for 26th overall, finishing with a time of 18:36.0, a personal-best in the 5k. Junior Brittnie Munoz came in three seconds later at 18:39.0, a season-best time for Munoz, resulting in a 29th place finish. Senior Jessica Mumaugh recorded a time of 19:07.8, improving on her time from last week's Mark Covert Classic, for 48th place.

Junior Michelle Hickerson finished 68th overall with a time of 19:29.3, her best in the young season. Freshman Samantha Garcia rounded out the top-seven for the Lions on the day with a time of 19:55.1 for 92nd.

LMU's women came in 4th of 14 teams in the competition. The University of Arkansas won the race, with eight runners finishing in the top 10 spots.

For the LMU men, Gibson set a new personal record of 26:02.2 for 24th in the 8k race. Mike Evans came in at 26:38.4, a season-best for the junior, which placed him 43rd. Freshmen Lance Capel and Ryan Vargas both competed in their first races for the Lions, with Capel recording a time of 26:47.0 for 47th, and Vargas finishing at 26:52.2 for 52nd. Senior Michael Carlone had a season-best time of 26:57.2 for 57th.